Side-by-side comparison

Seattle vs Austin

Cost of living comparison for Seattle, Washington and Austin, Texas.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 24% more expensive than Austin. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,706/mo in Austin.

Rent in Seattle vs Austin

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Austin · Studio

$1,549

Seattle is $689 (44%) higher than Austin

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Austin · 1 bedroom

$1,650

Seattle is $643 (39%) higher than Austin

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Austin · 2 bedroom

$1,949

Seattle is $722 (37%) higher than Austin

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Austin · 3 bedroom

$2,484

Seattle is $1,037 (42%) higher than Austin

Income & earnings in Seattle vs Austin

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Austin · Household income

$97,169

Seattle is $24,979 (26%) higher than Austin

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Austin · Individual earnings

$55,186

Seattle is $11,955 (22%) higher than Austin

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Austin · Per capita

$59,289

Seattle is $11,773 (20%) higher than Austin

Home values in Seattle vs Austin

Average values and property tax.

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Austin · Average home value

$487,600

Seattle is $323,600 (66%) higher than Austin

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Austin · Annual property tax

$7,487

Austin is $702 (10%) higher than Seattle

Energy in Seattle vs Austin

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Austin · Monthly electricity

$167

Austin is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Austin · Monthly gas

$32

Seattle is $16 (50%) higher than Austin

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Austin · Annual total

$2,388

Austin is $504 (27%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Seattle vs Austin

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Austin · Individual premium

$480

Seattle and Austin are about the same

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Austin · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle and Austin are about the same

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Austin · Uninsured rate

12.2%

Austin is 7.0% (135%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Seattle vs Austin

State income and sales tax.

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Austin · State income tax

0.0%

Seattle and Austin are about the same

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Austin · State sales tax

6.3%

Seattle is 0.3% (4%) higher than Austin

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Austin · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Seattle is 2.0% (25%) higher than Austin

Transportation in Seattle vs Austin

Commute time and travel modes.

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Austin · Average commute

25.4 min

Seattle is 2.7 min (11%) higher than Austin

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Austin · Drive alone

59.7%

Austin is 7.9% (15%) higher than Seattle

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Austin · Public transit

1.7%

Seattle is 6.3% (371%) higher than Austin

Monthly cost estimates in Seattle vs Austin

All categories combined.

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Austin · Single person

$3,706

Seattle is $882 (24%) higher than Austin

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Austin · Couple

$5,280

Seattle is $1,144 (22%) higher than Austin

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Austin · Family

$7,957

Seattle is $1,483 (19%) higher than Austin

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Seattle and Austin.

Is Seattle or Austin more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington and $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas, a difference of about 24%.

What is the rent difference between Seattle and Austin?

Average one-bedroom rent in Seattle, Washington is $2,293/mo versus $1,650/mo in Austin, Texas. Seattle is approximately $643 (39%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Seattle or Austin?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year; Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year.

More on Seattle and Austin

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Seattle profile Austin profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.